“Cecil Williams, 60, a blind man, was heading to the dentist during morning rush hour on Tuesday. His 11-year black lab guide dog named Orlando, was trained to keep him from going over the edge. Witnesses said the dog was barking frantically as his owner was losing consciousness. He tried to stop Williams from falling, but they both fell to the tracks when Williams fainted. “He tried to hold me up,” Williams said.
Orlando then lay on top of his owner cowering as the subway rumbled over top of them. The train’s motorman slowed the subway cars while witnesses called for help. Williams and Orlando were struck, but not badly hurt. “The dog saved my life,” Williams said, his voice breaking at times. He also was astonished by the help from emergency crews and bystanders on the platform. As Williams regained consciousness, he heard someone telling him to be still. Emergency workers put him on a stretcher and pulled him from the subway, and made sure the dog was not badly injured.
Orlando, who Williams described as serious but laid-back, was at the hospital making new friends. He will be rewarded with some type of special treat, Williams said, along with plenty of affection and scratches behind the ears.
The lab will be 11 on Jan. 5, and will be retiring soon, Williams said. His health insurance will not cover the cost of a non-working dog, so he will be looking for a good home for him. If he had the money, Williams said, “I would definitely keep him.””
Watch the 30 second NBC News Video Clip here. Inspiring…
Source: NBC News
Related Post: Guess who graduated? With a fancy badge and diploma too…
Live & Learn 
there’s the proverb “救人一命勝造七級浮屠”; saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda.
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Love the proverb…thanks for sharing Beth.
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Heart-felt story!! Orlando also reminded me of my ‘Whisky’ who was a black german-spitz who would cower the same way when I was lie in bed..sick. With such gestures, they teach us about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.
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Awwwww, what an amazing story. Thanks for sharing. Yes, they certainly do teach us what’s important.
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Wait – how can his insurance not cover his pup? Orlando is a working dog, a service dog and a devoted friend. I hope the news clip prompts so much outrage that Cecil can keep him. I’m so touched on the one hand, and so ticked off on the other.
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Here’s an update: http://www.kansas.com/2013/12/18/3185455/blind-man-guide-dog-safe-after.html.
Apparently Cecil was slated to get a new working dog in January, 2014 and couldn’t afford to keep a non-working dog.
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I saw a clip on the Today show – social media is now doing its thing to ensure that he gets to keep Oliver..this is when I love people
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Yes.
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Oh, thank goodness. It looks like Cecil will have enough help to keep Orlando if he chooses. That’s one less disaster for these two.
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I with Mimi. Great story.
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I’m with Mimi.
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See above.
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Hello David, I think animals are angels sent by GOD in Jesus Christ name to care for us humans. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Did you see I am starting a new business named Donkey Whisperer Farm, LLC, I am training the owners of Donkeys, Mules and Horses how to train and care for them via my computer and their computer world-wide. I am so excited to be able to go back to work from my home. GOD is amazing! Here is my new Draft web page going live by Jan 1st, 2014. http://donkeywhispererfarm.com/home/
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Hi Melody. What a great idea. Good luck with your new venture. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
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What a Legend of a hero dog! I hope Orlando is able to have a great life after retirement. I’m sure that Cecil will really miss his good friend though.
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Sylvia, it sounds like he will. See: http://www.kansas.com/2013/12/18/3185455/blind-man-guide-dog-safe-after.html
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Love it!! 🙂
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I can’t imagine what it must feel like to part with an 11-year-old dog that’s looked after you and been your best friend for so long. And the dogs themselves must find it very hard to settle into a new home and not be working anymore.
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Yes Sarah. I can’t imagine how our Zeke would react (survive) in a new home. And this 11 year old dog, caring for this man all this time, unimaginable. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
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Happy Holidays to you and your family, too, David 🙂
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What a beautiful story! Animals are amazing. I, too, get really pissed off about ‘red tape’ issues. Like Orlando is really going to be able to be a “non-working” dog?
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🙂 I think there is a happy ending here. Disney Like!
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A lucky escape – for both of them! Perfect dog love!! 😀
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Yes, it certainly was.
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Just read that people are contributing so that Cecil can keep Orlando with him. $65000+ collected towards the campaign: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-cecil-williams-keep-his-seeing-eye-dog-orlando. Yay, Yay!!!
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Wow, fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
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